Full Resource - City of Edmonton

Make A Better City
The Make a Better City research themes
Each Make a Better City research theme provides support for the
development or reinforcement of concepts and skills, as well as a range of
sources that can be used to meeting differing learning needs. Topics cross
over many of the themes so that students can see connections between the
different “spheres of influence” that each theme represents.
Homes in the City focuses on responsibilities involved with
personal or private property. It includes a look at the problems
that occur when residents do not take responsibility for their
residence or property, including derelict or nuisance properties
and waste management as well as potential issues involved in
keeping backyard animals and looking after pets “at home.”
Although this theme includes more abstract concepts, such as
the “broken windows theory,” it also includes many short articles
that may be more accessible to students who need additional
support with reading.
Seasons in the City looks at the changing needs of the city
through the four seasons and explores some examples of citizen
involvement and volunteerism. The issue of snow removal is
paired with sources that discuss the Snow Angels program. The
issue of litter is connected to spring cleanup and Adopt a Block
programs. This theme may be suitable for those students who
respond to more concrete concepts and shorter articles.
Pets in the City introduces students to the use of campaigns
and advertising in the context of initiatives and programs of a
local government. Sources address issues such as pet licensing,
spaying or neutering, off leash dog parks, abandoned or lost
pets, roaming cats and pet adoption. This theme includes
both concrete and abstract concepts and ideas and could be
suitable for heterogeneous groupings of students.
This theme can also provide a strong focus for a class
discussion or debate about the extent to which local government
should have the right to compel, or require, people’s choices
and behaviours. (Pose questions to spark students’ thinking and
encourage them to share their own questions and experiences. If
people have the right to own a pet, what should they be responsible
for Who should decide what responsible pet ownership involves
Why should a local government be concerned about pets Should
certain responsibilities be mandatory Which ones Why)
Green Spaces in the City focuses on common or public spaces
in a city. Sources explore issues and benefits associated with
a range of green spaces, including parks, boulevards, schoolyards
and sports fields, as well as actions that both local government
and citizens can take, including planting trees, using shared use
trails responsibly and cleaning up the river valley.
The themes ... are relevant,
meaningful, and concrete enough
for students to be successful with the
activity. This provides a focus for the
activity and will give each group a
chance to get an in-depth look at
an issue.
~Melissa B., Edmonton Catholic Schools
Field-Based Research
Ask students to find and add
examples of current issues in their
own neighbourhoods to their themes.
Encourage them to revisit issues they
identified from the quality of life survey
completed in set the context: The City
Scene. How are these survey issues
reflected in their themes
Pets in the City app
The Pets in the City interactive
whiteboard app, launched at www.
edmonton.ca/makeabettercity, can be
used to reinforce key messages as well
as students’ research. Text boxes with
additional information about standards
and bylaws that relate to responsible pet
ownership can be accessed by touching
various visuals of pets and pet owners
on the landscape. Students working
on the Pets in the City theme can be
provided with the opportunity to revisit
any of the three activities – Neighbours
Pet Centre, Situations in the City and
the Animal Care & Control Centre.
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